Popular DAP leader Liew Chin Tong has vowed to chart new future for the opposition in Johor through his bid for state leadership in upcoming party elections.

Liew said that he would run for DAP Johor chief post on elections to be held on Jan 12, as the incumbent chief Boo Cheng Hau ( left ) has said two months ago that he would not take the lead any longer due to frustration with party issues. However, there were speculations that Boo, the Johor state opposition leader, may yet change his mind.

"Great opportunities and challenges await DAP Johor and Pakatan Rakyat in Johor.

"Indeed, Johor is one of the most crucial battlegrounds for all Malaysians who want to see the end of the BN government and the beginning of a regime change in Malaysia," Liew said in a statement.

At the re-do of DAP's central executive committee members election in September last year, Liew ( right ) emerged as the most popularly voted of 20 members . He received 1,438 votes from DAP delegates, two more votes than DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang. Liew moved up from 14th place in the previous CEC elections in December 2012.

Liew, who is also the MP for Kluang, set three "daunting tasks" for DAP Johor leadership: to consolidate the electoral gains made in the 13GE; to expand DAP Johor's support among Malay and Indian voters, as well as among youth and women voters; and to enhance cooperation with PAS and PKR.

"The May 2013 election has buried the notion that Johor was an Umno-BN bastion," Liew said, noting that five out of 26 parliamentary seats and 18 out of 56 state seats were now held by Pakatan parties.

The DAP is organised along the principle of "collective leadership". Delegates will elect 15 members of the state committee at the DAP Johor state ordinary convention on Jan 12. The elected members in turn elect the chairman and office bearers among themselves.